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Author: Yujiemi Chisholm
Forensics TTA

FY2024 Grantee Orientation Webinar – Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program

This webinar features the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) introducing the Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program grantees to the overall BJA team that works collectively to administer their award funds including the BJA Policy Office and BJA Programs Office. This webinar provides useful training and information on how to accept awards; how to submit progress reports and Grant Award Modifications; and provides other information/best practices to support the award management and grant monitoring activities of this project. This webinar also introduces the Forensics TTA team and how this TTA program aims to support CEBR grantees.
December 2024
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Discussion Forum Session #1

This webinar, presented by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), features an overview of the FY2024 Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program solicitation. As part of this presentation, BJA discusses various elements of the solicitation, changes that have been implemented from previous iterations of the program, eligibility requirements, and guidance for submitting an application.
December 2024
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City of Cape Coral, FL

The City of Cape Coral’s uses Coverdell funds to purchase a full-spectral imaging device to support evidence detection and documentation

The City of Cape Coral, Florida utilized Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants (Coverdell) Program funding to purchase a Crime-lite® AUTO for use in homicide investigations. The use of this full-spectral imaging device specifically assisted a neighboring law enforcement agency in detecting and documenting evidence in a homicide case that involved a stabbing. The imaging device’s infrared capabilities aided in revealing bloodstains on a suspect’s black shirt, which can be extremely difficult to detect, enabling the law enforcement agency’s technician to photograph the bloodstains and collect a sample for DNA analysis.
November 2024
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Highlights

Coverdell funding enables the Maine Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to increase annual death investigations

Using Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants (Coverdell) Program funding, the Maine Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) contracted with board-certified forensic pathologists which enabled the office to investigate a higher percentage of deaths in Maine without increasing fatigue or burnout of the full-time staff. Prior to the grant period, Maine OCME was processing fewer than 2,000 cases annually. By the end of the grant period, Maine OCME was processing over 2,500 cases annually, demonstrating a 25% increase in the number of death investigations conducted by Maine OCME during the grant period.
November 2024
FTCOE

Assessing Stress Among MDI & Building Resilient Professionals

This webinar aims to address the critical issue of mental health and wellness for medicolegal death investigation (MDI) professionals, with a focus on preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use disorders, and other negative outcomes from prolonged exposure to trauma. This webinar has been approved for up to one continuing education credit hour through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).
October 2024
Investigative Resource Repository

Harvin v. State of Maryland (2024) Opinion

Appeals Court decision upholding admissibility of process utilizing TrueAllele®, a probabilistic genotyping software (PGS). This process was used to interpret DNA mixtures detected on several items recovered during an investigation of a sexual assault of an 83-year-old female victim. The Court’s opinion includes a helpful discussion on experts in general, as well as a discussion on the use of PGS for forensic purposes. The Court also discusses the recently adopted Daubert standard in criminal cases. The Supreme Court of Maryland denied petition for writ of certiorari on January 29, 2025 (petition number 355).
September 2024
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Office Hours Session #1

This office hours session enabled Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program grantees to engage with members from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) ME/C Team and the Forensics TTA ME/C Team. During this office hours session, BJA provided ME/C Program updates, highlighted resources available to BJA Forensics Programs grantees, and provided information on how to navigate reporting to BJA highlighting topics such as progress reports and Grant Adjustment Modifications (GAMs). Additionally, the Forensics TTA Team highlighted recent TTA resources available to BJA Forensics Programs grantees. This office hours session featured a question-and-answer segment, open discussion, and poll questions to garner ME/C grantee needs and challenges that TTA could positively support.
August 2024

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